Obama linked cooperation against ISIS — which has been ruthlessly
targeting Shiite holy sites and followers of the branch of Islam
practiced in Iran — to negotiations over a deal on Iran’s nuclear
program, the paper reported.

Diplomats have set a looming Nov. 24 deadline for the conclusion of
talks on an emerging nuclear deal — although Obama said in a Wednesday
press conference he hoped the matter could be resolved in three or four
weeks.

Under any final deal, Iran would give up its nuclear capability in
exchange for a lifting of tight sanctions against its economy.

Asked about the letter at a news conference, House Speaker John
Boehner — who gets top security briefings — replied: “I don’t trust the
Iranians. I don’t think we need to bring them into this, and I would
hope that the negotiations that are under way are serious negotiations,
but I have my doubts.”

It was Obama’s fourth letter to Khamenei — a string that began soon after he took office in 2009.

The Iranians have already been assisting in the battle against ISIS
on their own. Just this week, photos appeared on Iraqi websites showing
that famed Iranian Gen. Qassem Suleymani had been present during a rare
Iraqi army victory in a battle against ISIS extremists.

The White House is eyeing a possible final deal with Iran as a unique opportunity to score a diplomatic achievement.

But with Republicans having seized control of the Senate, getting a
deal that could win support in Congress has grown more difficult. Even
the preliminary deal with Iran drew blowback from Senate Republicans and
Democrats.

Obama on Wednesday dodged a question about whether he could lift
sanctions on Iran unilaterally — saying the time to “engage Congress”
would be after any deal gets reached.

“If we do have a deal that I have confidence will prevent Iran from
getting a nuclear weapon, and that we can convince the world and the
public will prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, then it will be
time to engage in Congress,” Obama said.

“And I think that we’ll be able to make a strong argument to Congress that this is the best way for us to avoid a nuclear Iran.”